NEWS: Smoke Eaters Add Size And Grit On Backend With Murphy-Johnson

TRAIL, B.C. – The Trail Smoke Eaters Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club is pleased to announce defenceman Jackson Murphy-Johnson has committed to the team for the 2019/20 season.

Murphy-Johnson, 17, comes to the Smoke Eaters after playing with the Vancouver North East Chiefs of the BC Major Midget League, where he played in all but two games over the course of his last two seasons. The 6’2”, 180-pound rearguard played in 78 career games with the Chiefs, tallying 5 goals and 22 assists for 27 points while accumulating 89 penalty minutes.

The Burnaby, BC native brings a layer of physicality and strength to Smoke Eaters backend while also chipping in with offence, scoring 4 goals and 11 assists for 15 points over 40 games during the 2018/19 season while amassing 40 penalty minutes.

“Jackson Murphy-Johnson is our final addition to our non-junior recruiting class,” said Smoke Eaters General Manager and Head Coach Jeff Tambellini, “He is a powerful young man who defends with contact and was regarded as one of most difficult defenseman to play against in the BCMML.”

“Jackson’s leadership and character make me believe that he will have just as much impact within our group as he does on the ice,” continued the Smoke Eaters GM, “Our entire staff is looking forward to developing Jackson into an elite two-way defenseman.”

The Smoke Eaters would like to welcome Jackson and his family to the City of Trail and the Smoke Eaters organization.

Murphy-Johnson and the rest of the Smoke Eaters will be in Trail for the team’s Main Camp at the end of August while season tickets for the 2019/20 campaign are available for purchase at the Smoke Eaters office, which is open 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday-Friday as well as online at www.shop.trailsmokeeaters.com.